FORT WORTH (Reuters) - A Texas judge, who received national criticism for sentencing a wealthy Texas teenager to probation after he killed four people while driving drunk, ordered him on Wednesday to start rehabilitation for substance abuse and behavior problems.

The case set off an emotional debate because a psychologist for the teenager said his family's wealth impaired the youth's ability to take responsibility for his actions, calling the affliction "affluenza". The condition is not recognised by the American Psychiatric Association as a diagnosis.

In December, juvenile court judge Jean Boyd sentenced the 16-year-old to 10 years' probation and ordered him to get therapy, a decision that led to a backlash among those who thought the family used its wealth to keep the teen out of jail.

Mr Reagan Wynn, an attorney for the teenager, said the judge ordered his client to start rehabilitation. He would not disclose the location or the amount of time the teenager would spend there.